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We find that going on an off-road adventure, such as camping, hiking or biking, is the best way you can enjoy all the features of your pre-owned lifted truck. But before you take it off-road, pack these essentials to ensure your safety and convenience.

First Aid Kit

The American Red Cross recommends that you have a kit for your home and for your vehicle. The kit should contain at least 25 adhesive bandages, a couple of 5×9-inch absorbent dressings, antiseptic wipes, antibiotic ointment packets, an emergency blanket, and other essentials. Be sure to regularly check if any medicines in the kit need to be replaced, as some of them have expiry dates.

Air Compressor

An air compressor is an absolute must if you go off-road. There will be times when you have to deflate your tires to as low as 8 PSI, to get more traction in snow, mud, or sand. After you’ve left the trail, you’ll need to re-inflate your tires to the usual pressure of 28 to 30 PSI before going back on regular roads. It’s true that you can do this manually, but doing so for all four tires will take a lot of time and effort. An air compressor can do both and it only needs to be powered by your truck’s 12V auxiliary power socket.

Jump Start Kit

Back in the day, you’d have to pack jumper cables and have another car with a fully-charged battery nearby to revive your truck. Now, all you need are special jumper cables that attach to a high-capacity lithium-ion battery pack. The great thing about this piece of equipment is that it can be charged off of your truck’s cigarette lighter, and can recharge your cellphones and gadgets, too. Don’t rely on your truck to charge it, though; if your truck battery runs out of juice, you won’t be able to charge it either. Make sure the lithium-ion pack is already fully charged before going off-road.

Traction Mats

Lifted trucks fitted with off-road tires can overcome most rugged trails in Phoenix, but don’t rule out the possibility that your truck will get stuck, and fail to grip soft mud, fine sand, or smooth rock. This is where traction mats come in. Always have a pair of these in your truck to provide a gripping surface for your tires, and roll off or away from impassable terrain.

Repair Tools and Work Gloves

Traversing over bumpy, uneven terrain will cause parts to come loose or get damaged. That’s why you should pack a complete set of repair tools to tighten any loosened nuts or bolts, and of course to make any necessary repairs. Be sure to use a pair of work gloves while making any repairs to protect your hands; truck components can have sharp edges or heated parts that can cause serious injury. Don’t forget to include a flashlight with backup batteries.

Navigation Equipment

Should you bring a GPS device or a map and a compass? You’re better off bringing all, since GPS devices need power, while a compass and an updated map don’t. You can use the GPS device, and bring a map and compass as backup. Don’t forget that you can also download navigation apps for your smartphone. There are even free apps that can provide maps even if you’re offline.

The off-road essentials listed here are what you should pack, assuming your off-road adventure is only for a day and at less-challenging trails. Don’t subtract from these essential items, but feel free to add whatever device, tool, or gadget that can help you conquer the trails and come back safely.

If you’re in the market for a used lifted truck, visit us to explore our inventory. Canyon State Trucks and SUVs has a selection of pre-owed vehicles in excellent condition. Fill out our online form for your inquiries.